License tag



W. S. ASHCROFT.

LlC ENSE TAG. APPLICATION FILED MAY IB, I921.

1,41 1,559. Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

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LICENSE TAG.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

Application filed May 18, 1921. Serial No. 470,527.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. ASHCROFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at lleatherford, in the county of Parker and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in License Tags, of which the following is a specification reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in license tags, and it is an object of the invention to provide a noveland improved device of this general character which efiectively identifies the vehicle to which it is applied and thereby materially reduces the liability of theft and also discourages the practice of changing a tag from one vehicle to another.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which provides a member or plate on which is produced certain identifying data and with which plate is associated additional plates containing further identifying data.

The invention consists in the detail of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved license tag whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will be hereinafter definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a tag constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention with the plates in their normal position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the lower plate in a raised position.

Figure 3 is also an elevational view with the upper plate in' a lowered position.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the main plate as herein embodied.

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of the tag as illustrated in Figure 3.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, M denotes the main body or plate of my improved ta which has one end portion, preferably the ower, substantially semicircular inform. The upper end portion of the member or plate M or that portion above the lower semicircular portion is of a length in excess of the radius of the lower semicircular portion so that the geographical indication 1 produced on the upper portion of the member or plate M will-be exposed at all times. In the present embodiment of my invention, the indication 1 denotes the city, town or the like in which residesthe person to whom the license has been issued.

The member or plate M is provided with the outstanding and transversely aligned knuckles 2 also substantially in alignment with the inner extremities of the lower arcuate margin of the member or plate Mp Disposed through the knuckles 2 is a pintle 3.

The member or plate M above the knuckles 2 has disposed thereon the serial number l of the vehicle and said plate also has produced'thereon below the serial number at the highway orlicense number 5. The lower or semicircular portion of the member or plate M has produced thereon the body number 6 of the vehicle and also the engine number 7.

8 denotes a substantially semicircular plate provided at its straight edge inwardly of the extremities thereof with the outstanding knuckles 9 through which the pintle 3 is also disposed whereby the plate 8 is hingedly engaged with the member or plate M for swinging movement.

10 denotes a second plate also substantially semicircular in form and which is provide an arm15 bearing against the plate 10. The arms 14 and 15 operate to constantly urge the plates 8 and 10 in opposite directions so that normally the plate 8 overlies and is in substantially close contact with the lower portion of the member or plate M and the plate 10 normally substantially in close contact with the upper portion of the membe or plate M.

The normally exposed face of the plate 10 i portion of said coil spring is extended to i has produced thereon an identity 16 for the which, in the present instance, denotes the county in which is located the residence noted by the indication 1. i 3

The normally concealed face of the plate 8 has produced thereon anidentityQO which, in the present instance, comprises the initialsof the person to whom the license has beenissued. It is to be understood that this identity 20 may denote a firm or kindred concern With the plate 8 in its normal or lowered position, the indication 19 is COIICGillQl'l While the indications 4 and 5 011 the member or plate M are also concealed while the plate 10 is in its normal position,

While not illustrated in theaccoinpanyinig drawings, it is to be 'understoodthat the identities herein referred-to may be differently arranged and if preferred, the high wayor license number may be produced on anexposed face of plate 8 or 10.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious; that a license tag present instance is given as constructed in accordance with my inventlon ispartlcularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with wvhich it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention,

is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the princi les and. spirit thereof and for this reason do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my. invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

An automobile license tag comprising a base plate formed with forwardl extending knuckles located at the intermediate portion thereof and disposed in spaced relation, a platenormally overlying the lower portion of said base plate and having its edge registering with the edge of the base plate, knuckles formed on the up er edge ofsaid second named plate, a thirr plateieverlying the major portion of the upper part oil? said base plate but exposing the upperextremity thereof, knuckles formed on the lower edge of said last named plate, alloit'saidlmnekles registering, I a: pintle passing: through all the knuckles, and a spring coiled about the intermediate portion of the pintle and having its ends engaging'against the outer faces of said second and third named plates whereby to hold the latter rin close contact with the base plate. a I a In testimony whereof I hereunto flfllii a my signature. I I WILLIAM S. ASHCROFT 

